Methods of forming and assembling articles with a support

ABSTRACT

A plurality of terminals are notched, sheared and formed successively and simultaneously from a blank metallic strip. A plastic bobbin is located adjacent to a final forming and inserting station where the terminals are inserted into associated openings of prepositioned bobbins. Facilities are provided for gripping and carrying the successively and simultaneously notched, sheared and formed terminals during the insertion of the terminals into the bobbins and for holding the facilities in a withdrawn position during a period when the bobbins, with the inserted terminals, are withdrawn from the final forming and inserting station.

United States Patent Kincaid et al.

[ 51 Mar. 28, 1972 METHODS OF FORMING AND ASSEMBLING ARTICLES WITH A SUPPORT Jack W. Kincaid, Heath; Michael M. Simpson, Columbus, both of Ohio Western Electric Company lncorporated, New York, NY.

May 26, 1969 Inventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.: 827,647

U.S. Cl ..29/602, 29/512 R, 29/630 D, 29/630 B, 29/203 B, 29/205 C, 29/33 M, 83/383,

Int. Cl. ..H01f 7/05, HOlr 9/00 Field of Search ..29/630 D, 630 B, 512, 203, 29/33; 113/119; 227/57; 83/383, 426

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bergman .,.29/6 30 UK V 2,610,390 Locke ..29/630 B UX 2,666,253 1/1954 Morberg ....29/630 B UX 2,944,330 7/1960 Swick ...29/630 B 3,204,328 9/1965 Klasek ..29/630 B Primary ExaminerJohn F. Campbell Assistant Exqminer-Robert W. Church Attorney-H. J. Winegar, R. P. Miller and Don P. Bush [57] ABSTRACT A plurality of terminals are notched, sheared and formed successively and simultaneously from a blank metallic strip. A plastic bobbin is located adjacent to a final forming and inserting station where the terminals are inserted into associated openings of prepositioned bobbins. Facilities are provided for gripping and carrying the successively and simultaneously notched, sheared and formed terminals during the insertion of the terminals into the bobbins and for holding the facilities in a withdrawn position during a period when the bobbins, with the inserted terminals, are withdrawn from the final forming and inserting station.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented arch 28, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m I v L W wm Q Q N 3 E 9% m mum Em lNVENTORS JW K/NCA/D M M S/MPSON ATTORNEY Patented March 28, 1972 I 3,651,5$

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AIR PRESS.

INPUT Patented March 28,1972 3,651,566

I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 METHODS OF FORMING AND ASSEMBLI NG ARTICLES WITH A SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods of forming and assembling articles with a support and particularly relates to methods of forming successive terminals from a blank strip and inserting the terminals into a prepositioned bobbin at a final forming station.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of bobbins having inserted terminals, the bobbins are molded with openings for subsequently receiving portions of the terminals to be supported within the bobbin. Frequently, the portions of the terminals, which are inserted into associated openings of the bobbins, are scored or barbed in some way to facilitate the retention of the terminals with the bobbins after the terminal portions have been inserted into the associated openings.

Generally, the openings of the bobbins which receive the terminals are relatively small and the terminal insertion operation is necessarily a delicate and tedious procedure. Hence, the terminals are usually formed by a stamping and forming operation and are then transferred to an assembly station where the individually formed terminals must be handled and inserted into the associated openings of the bobbins.

In the assembly of larger type terminals with supporting carriers, the size of the terminals permit a continuous forming and inserting operation utilizing a single press wherein the configuration of the portions of the'terminals, which are assembled with the supporting carrier, is sufficiently large to withstand any substantial forces which may be exerted upon the terminals when the terminals are clinched and assembled with the supporting carrier. In addition, the larger size of the terminals permits larger openings in the supporting carrier for receiving the portion of the formed terminals which is to be clinched thereto.

When the relatively small terminals are assembled with associated bobbins, the assembled product must be handled delicately in withdrawing the product from the assembly apparatus so that the terminals are not damaged during the withdrawal period. If the terminals are formedin a varying configuration, for example, an L-shaped configuration, the facilities required for inserting the terminal into the associated openings of the bobbins must be retracted in such a way that the completed bobbin and terminal assembly can be removed from the assembly apparatus without damage to the terminal configuration.

Consequently, a need exists for methods of and apparatus for performing a continuous successive series of operations wherein relatively small terminals are produced and portions of the manufactured terminals are inserted into comparatively small openings in a support carrier such as a bobbin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods of forming and assembling articles with a support. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of manufacturing terminals of a varying configuration and assembling portions of the manufactured terminals with associated bobbins.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of forming successive tenninals from a blank strip and inserting portions of the successively formed terminals into associated openings of prepositioned bobbins.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved methods of forming successive terminals and inserting portions of the successively formed terminals into associated openings of prepositioned bobbins to form a bobbin and terminal assembly and for maintaining terminal inserting facilities in a retracted position so that the bobbin and terminal assembly can be withdrawn from the assembly area.

port at an assembly area and controlling the gripping means to release the gripped portions of the article and to withhold the means in a position for precluding movement of the means toward adjacent portions of the article so that the article may be withdrawn from the assembly area without damage thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objectsand advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bobbin having terminals assembled therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the terminals with portions thereof aligned with an associated opening of the bobbin;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing generally a progressive punch and die for punching successive terminals in successive steps in a blank metallic strip and for inserting the terminals intoa prepositioned bobbin in accordance with certain principles of the invention; I

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the blank metallic strip having various successive stamped out portions for forming the terminals;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a support for the bobbin during the assembly of the terminals with the bobbin;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing the support for the bobbin in a retracted position and terminal inserting facilities of the punch and die;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the supported bobbin in a position to receive the formed insertable terminal;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the formed terminal being inserted into the supported bobbin;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing the inserting facilities positioned to facilitate the retraction of the support with the bobbin and assembled terminals, and

FIG. 10 is a combined pneumatic and electrical diagram showing a system for controlling facilities used in a terminal inserting operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a bobbin, designated generally by the numeral 21, which includes a wire winding portion 22 having a flange 23 formed at one end thereof and a flange 24 formed at the opposite end thereof. The bobbin 21 is formed with an axial bore 26 for possible reception of a metallic core (not shown). A pair of projections 27 and 28 extend from the outer wall of the flange 24 and are formed with ledges 29 and 31, respectively. A pair of terminal supporting shelves 32 and 33 extend from the ledges 29 and 31, respectively. A pair of terminals, designated generally by the numeral 34, are assembled with the bobbin 21 so that wire-wrap ends 36-36 of the terminals extend in a direction parallel with the axis of the bobbin.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated one of the terminals 34-34, which is substantially L-shaped in configuration and includes the wire-wrap end 36, an intermediate portion 37 and a lug 38. The lug 38 is formed substantially at a right angle with the planeof the intermediate portion 37. The wire-wrap end 36 and the intermediate portion 37 are substantially in a common plane. A plurality of barbed locking tips 39-39 are formed along opposite longitudinal edges of the lug 38. A wire-connection tab 41 is fonned integrally with a portion of one edge of the intermediate portion 37 at a right angle thereto for facilitating the connection of a wire of a coil (not shown) which is wound onto the coil winding portion 22 (FIG. 1) of the bobbin 21. An opening 42 is formed in each of the ledges 29 and 31 (FIG. 1) for receiving the lug 38 of the associated terminal 34. Each of the openings 42-42 conform structurally to the cross sectional configuration of the lug 38 of the terminal 34 but is slightly smaller dimensionally. Each of the lugs 38-38 of the terminals 34-34 are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 of the bobbin 21 wherein the locking tips 39-39 deform the inner walls of the associated openings and facilitate the locking of the lugs within the associated openings.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a progressive punch and die, designated generally by the numeral 43, for forming the terminals 34-34 and assisting in the insertion of the lugs 38-38 into the associated openings 42-42 of the bobbin 21 which is positioned on a slidable support, designated generally by the numeral 44. The punch and die 43 includes a die section mounting plate, designated generally by the numeral 46, which is positioned on a die shoe 47 and further includes a punch holder 48 located spacially above the die section mounting plate. Four guide posts 49-49 (two shown) extend upwardly from corner portions of the upper surface of the die shoe 47 and the upper ends thereof are inserted for sliding movement into associated guide post bushings 51-51 which are attached to the punch holder 48. A hydraulic press (not shown) controls the vertical movement of a rod 52 which is connected to the upper surface of the punch holder 48 to facilitate control of vertical movement of the punch holder. A die section 53 is attached to the upper surface of the die section mounting plate 46 and beneath a punch retainer 54 which is attached to the underside of the punch holder 48.

Successive portions of a fiat metallic stock strip, designated generally by the reference numeral 56, are advanced between the die section 53 and the punch retainer 54 by a conventional strip advancing device, designated generally by the reference numeral 57. As the metallic stock strip 56 is passed between the die section 53 and punch retainer 54, successive operations are performed on the strip to form the terminals 34-34 (FIG. 2). It is noted that several operations are performed simultaneously on successive portions of the metallic stock strip 56 during each downward travel of the punch holder 48 as controlled by the hydraulic press which is attached to the rod 52.

Initially, a pair of punches 58-58 (one shown), which are supported by the punch retainer 54, punch a pair of transversely aligned, aligning holes 59-59 (FIG. 4) in the metallic stock strip 56 along opposite edges thereof. After the punches 58-58 punch the holes 59-59 into the metallic stock strip 56, the punched out material and the lower ends of the punches moveinto associated openings 61-61 (one shown) formed in the die section 53. As the metallic stock strip 56 is passed through the punch and die 43, successive aligning pilot pins (not shown), which are supported by the punch retainer 54, are inserted into the aligning holes 59-59 of the metallic stock strip to insure proper alignment thereof during the successive punching, forming and inserting operations.

A punch 62, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with an opening 63 formed in the die section 53 for forming a punched out portion 64 (FIG. 4) in the metallic stock strip 56. A crimping tool 66, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with another crimping tool 67, which is supported in the die section 53, for forming a pair of spaced, raised ribs 68-68 (FIG. 4) in the metallic stock strip 56. A punch 69, supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with an opening 71 formed in the die section 53 for forming a notch 72 (FIG. 4) in the metallic stock strip 56. A punch 73, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with an opening 74 formed in the die section 53 for forming a cutout 76 (FIG. 4) in the metallic stock strip 56. A punch 77, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, is formed with corner posts which extend downwardly from the underside of the punch. The punch 77 cooperates with an opening 78 formed in the die section 53 wherein the opening is formed to a configuration which conforms to the configuration of the corner posts of the punch to punch out portions 79, 81, 82 and 83 (FIG. 4) ofthe metallic stock strip 56 and which are shown in cross section in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, it is noted that the terminals 34-34 have been substantially formed at this time and are retained with parallel, spaced, skeleton edge portions 85-85 of the metallic stock strip 56 by associated webs 84-84.

Referring again to FIG. 3,.a shear form punch 86, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with a shear form die 87, which is supported by the die section 53, to form the barbed locking tips 39-39 (FIG. 2) in the lugs 38-38 of the terminals 34-34. The upper end of a bending element 88, which is supported by the die section 53, extends normally above the upper surface of the die section and is positioned for movement into an opening 89 formed in the punch retainer 54. When the punch holder 48 is raised, the aligning pins, which are inserted into the aligning holes 59-59 (FIG. 4) of the metallic stock strip 56, cause the strip to be raised a substantial distance above the upper surface of the die section 53. The metallic stock strip 56 engages stripper plates (not shown), which are located in a fixed position adjacent to the punch holder 48, to strip the metallic strip from the aligning pins. After the metallic stock strip 56 has been stripped from the aligning pins, the strip advancing device 57 advances the strip for the next series of notching, shearing and forming operations.

During the period when the metallic stock strip 56 is advanced, the strip is normally in a raised position sufficient to permit the strip to pass over the upper end of the bending element 88. Thereafter, when the punch holder 48 is lowered, the metallic stock strip 56 is aligned by the insertion of the aligning pins into the associated aligning holes 59-59 formed in the metallic stock strip and the bending element 88 bends the wire connection tabs 41-41 upwardly. A bending element 91, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, cooperates with an opening 92, which is formed in the die section 53, for bending the lugs 38-38 downwardly to complete the forming of the terminals 34-34 to the configuration as shown in FIG. 2.

The formed terminals 34-34, which are held by the skeleton edge portions 85-85 of the metallic stock strip 56 by the webs 84-84 (FIG. 4), are moved to a final cutting and inserting station, designated generally by the numeral 93, where the formed terminals are severed from the webs and the lugs 38-38 (FIG. 2) are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 of the bobbin 21 which is positioned on the slidable support 44. A cutting and inserting member 94, which also functions as a gripping carrier pad, is attached to the punch retainer 54 and is located above a gripping carrier pad 96 which extends through an opening 97 formed in the die section 53. The underside of the carrier pad 96 is attached to a rod 98 which is controlled for vertical movement by an air cylinder 99.

After the metallic stock strip 56 has been advanced to position the formed pair of terminals 34-34 at the final cutting and inserting station 93, the carrier pad 96 is raised so that the upper surface of the pad is positioned in engagement with the underside of the intermediate portion 37 (FIG. 2) and the wire-wrap end 36 (FIG. 2) of each of the formed terminals 34-34. When the punch holder 48 is lowered, the cutting and inserting member 94 is lowered into engagement with the upper surface of portions of the terminals 34-34 so that the terminals are gripped and held between the cutting and inserting member and the carrier pad 96 which cooperate to function as a gripping means. As the punch holder 48 continues to move downwardly, the terminals 34-34, which are held between the cutting and inserting member 94 and the carrier pad 96, are cut adjacent to the webs 84-84 (FIG. 4) to sever the terminals from the metallic stock strip 56. The severed terminals 34-34 are then carried to a position adjacent to the prepositioned bobbin 21 and the lugs 38-38 of the carried terminals are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the prepositioned bobbin 21 by the cutting and inserting member 94 as the punch holder 48 continues to be moved downwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the slidable support 44 includes a slide 101, which is positioned for sliding movement on an extended shelf portion 102 of the die section mounting plate 46 and between a pair of spaced guide rails 103 and 104 also located on the mounting plate. A pair of spaced pedestals 106 and 107 are positioned on the slide 101 and are formed with arcuate notches 108 and 109, respectively, which form a nest, designated generally by the reference numeral 111, for supporting the bobbin 21 on the slide. A portion of the flange 24 of the bobbin 21 is positioned within a slot 112 which is formed in the pedestal 107 and the flange 23 of the bobbin is located on one side of the pedestal 106. A plunger 113 extends from a housing 114 and is spring-biased into engagement with the flange 23 of the bobbin 21 so that the flange is urged toward the pedestal 106. Utilization of the spring-biased plunger 113 also insures that the bobbin 21 is properly positioned within the nest 111 of the slide 101 by locating the lower portion of the flange 24 of the bobbin against the forward wall of the slot 1 12.

Referring again to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a handle 116 which is attached to a rearward portion of the slide 101 to facilitate manual control of the movement of the slide. In addition, a locking pin 117 is formed integrally with an enlarged knurled handle 118 and is normally located within a bushing aperture 119 located in the slide 101. A bushing aperture 121 is located in the shelf portion 102 of the die section mounting plate 46 so that when the slide 101 is positioned properly for the insertion of the lugs 38-38 of the formed terminals 34- 34 into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin 21, the bushing apertures 119 and 121 are aligned and the locking pin 117 is inserted into the aligned apertures to lock the slide in the proper position.

Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is an electrical switch 122 which is controlled by an associated cam roller 123 which rides against the underside of the slide 101. A cam slot 124 is formed in the underside of the slide 101 and facilitates the control of the switch 122. The switch 122 controls the operation of the air cylinder 99 to facilitate movement of the pad 96.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the cutting and inserting member 94 is formed with a cutout portion 126 which provides clearance for the wire-connection tabs 41-41 when the member is lowered to sever the terminals 34-34 from the metallic stock strip 56 and further when the terminals are carried toward and the lugs 38-38 are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin 21. The cutting and inserting member 94 is formed with a pair of spaced, cutting and inserting legs 127 and 128 which cooperate with spaced, opposed edges of upwardly turned ends 129 and 131, respectively, of the die section 53 to sever the terminals 34-34 adjacent the webs 84-84 (FIG. 4) immediately prior to the inserting of the lugs 38-38 of the terminals into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin 21.

A pair of cutting members 132 and 133 are supported in the punch retainer 54 and cooperate with other edges of the upwardly turned ends 129 and 131, respectively, of the die section 53 to sever a forward scrap skeleton portion 135 of the metallic stock strip 56 from the trailing portion of the strip. An air ejector (not shown) is activated when the forward scrap portion 135 of the metallic stock strip 56 is severed to eject the severed scrap portion away from the nest 111 so that the scrap portion is not ejected onto the bobbin 21 which is supported in the nest.

Referring now to FIG. 6, initially the leading, formed pair of terminals 34-34 have been advanced to the cutting, and inserting station 93. The slide support 44 is in the retracted position and the cam roller 123 is depressed so that the switch 122 is closed.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a combined pneumatic and electrical system, designated generally by the reference numeral 130, for controlling movement of the pad 96. When the switch 122 is closed, an operating potential is applied to a coil 134 of a solenoid, designated generally by the numeral 136. When the operating potential is applied to the coil 134 of the solenoid 136, an associated plunger 137 is moved to the left to move a valve 138 to the left against the biasing action of a compression spring 139 so that a pressure input line 141 is linked to a pressure feed line 142. Fluid pressure is then applied to the air cylinder 99 through the input line 141, the valve 138 and the feed line 142 to raise the rod 98 and, consequently, the pad 96 to the upper position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. It is noted that the cutting and inserting member 94, which is supported by the punch retainer 54, remains in the upper position spaced from the pad 96.

Referring again to FIG. 6, an operator positions one of the bobbins 21-21 into the nest 111 so that the lower end of the flange 24 of the bobbin is positioned within and in engagement with the forward wall of the slot 1 12 of the pedestal 107 due to biasing forces exerted upon the flange 23 of the bobbin by the spring-biased plunger 1 13.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the operator utilizes the handle 116 to move the slide 101 toward the cutting and inserting station 93 so that the bobbin 21 is positioned properly for the insertion of the lugs 38-38 (FIG. 2) of the terminals 34-34 into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin. The operator then positions the locking pin 1 17 in the aligned bushing apertures 119 and 121 which are formed in the slide 101 and the shelf 102, respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 10, when the slide 101 is moved to the left as previously described, the cam roller 123 moves into the slot 124 formed in the underside of the slide whereby the switch 122 is opened. When the switch 122 is opened, the operating potential is removed from the coil 134 of the solenoid 136 and the associated plunger 137 moves to the right. As the plunger 137 of the solenoid 136 moves to the right and away from the valve 138, the biasing forces of the compression spring 139 causes the valve to move to the right until the pressure feed line 142 is linked with a plugged stub line 143.

The compressed air, which is contained in the cylinder 99 to retain the pad 96 in the raised position, could escape through the valve 138 after the valve has been moved to the right. However, the stub line 143 is plugged at the free end thereof to prevent the escaping of the compressed air from the cylinder. In addition, the pressure feed line 142 is connected to a back pressure release line 144 which is connected to a valve 142. A stub line 147 is connected to the opposite side of the valve'146 and is plugged to prevent the compressed air which is contained within the cylinder 99 from escaping from the cylinder during the period when it is desired to retain the pad 96 in the raised position as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the punch retainer 54 is thereafter lowered so that the cutting and inserting member 94 engages portions of the terminals 34-34 and the webs 84-84 (FIG. 4) so that the portions of the terminals are gripped and captured between the cutting and inserting member and the pad 96. As the cutting and inserting member 94 continues to move downwardly, the terminals 34-34 are severed from the associated webs 84-84 by the cooperation of the legs 127 and 128 of the member with the associated edges of the upwardly turned ends 129 and 131 (FIG. 5), respectively, of the die section 53. The terminals 34-34 are then carried downwardly in the gripped, captured position between the cutting and inserting member 94 and the pad 96 whereby the pad is forced to move downwardly to a position as shown in FIG. 8 as a result of forces exerted on the paid by the downwardly moving cutting and inserting member. In addition, the cutting members 132 and 133 (FIG. 5) thereafter cooperate with asgripped, captured terminals 34-34 are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin 21 to form the completed bobbin and terminal assembly. As the lugs 38- 38 are inserted into the associated openings 42-42, the locking tips 39-39 disturb the inner structure of the openings to permit the locking of the lugs within the openings and the secure assembling of the terminals with the bobbin.

Referring again to FIG. 10, since there is no release outlet for the pressurized air in the air cylinder 99, the air in the cylinder is compressed further as the pad 96 is moved downwardly. Eventually, the downwardly moving punch retainer 54 engages a cam roller 148 which is attached to the valve 146 and facilitates the downward movement of the valve against biasing forces of a compression spring 149. When the valve 146 is moved to its lowermost position, the back pressure release line 144 is vented to the atmosphere through the valve thereby permitting the compressed air, which is contained within the air cylinder 99, to escape into the atmosphere.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the punch retainer 54 is subsequently raised to withdraw the cutting and inserting member 94 upwardly. Since the compressed air which was previously contained in the cylinder 99 has now been released, the pad 96 remains in the lower position. It is noted that, if the pad 96 is permitted to return to its raised position at the time the cutting and inserting member 94 is withdrawn to the right position, the inserted terminals 34-34 would be bent and distorted from their desired, originally formed configuration and the entire assembly of the bobbin 21 and the terminals would have to be discarded.

Referring again to FIG. 10, as the punch retainer 54 is being raised, the cam roller 148 and the valve 146 are moved upwardly by the biasing forces of the compression spring 149 until the roller and valve reach the uppermost position. The valve 146 again links the back pressure release line 144 with the plugged stub line 147 in preparation for the next cycle of operation.

After the punch retainer 54 has been raised to the uppermost position, the metallic stock strip 56 can be advanced by the strip advancing device 57 in preparation for the next simultaneous series of notching, shearing, forming, cutting and inserting operations. Referring again to FIG. 7, the operator then removes the locking pin 117 from within the bushing apertures 119 and 121 and withdraws the slide 101 from the cutting and inserting station 93. Thereafter the completed assembly of the bobbin 21 with the assembled terminals 34-34 is removed from the nest l 1 1.

Referring again to FIG. 10, as the slide 101 is withdrawn, the cam roller 123 moves relatively out of the slot 124 and into engagement with the underside of the slide whereby the switch 122 is closed. When the switch 122 is closed, the solenoid 136 is operated and the associated plunger 137 is moved to the left to position the valve 138 so that the input air pressure is applied to the air cylinder 99. When the air pressure is applied to the air cylinder 99, the pad 96 is raised to the upper position, as viewed in FIG. 6, and engages the underside of portions of the next pair of terminals 34-34 which are to be assembled with the next bobbin 21 which is positioned in the nest 1 1 1.

The terminals 34-34 require a gripping support after they have been severed from the webs 84-84 (FIG. 4) and before the terminals are inserted into the associated openings 42-42 (FIG. 2) of the bobbin 21. Thus, the pad 96 cooperates with the cutting and inserting member 94 to facilitate the gripping support of the terminals 34-34 during this period when the terminals are transported from the cutting location to the inserting location. However, it is necessary to maintain the cutting and inserting member 94 and the pad 96 in a spaced relation after the terminals 34-34 have been assembled with the associated bobbin 21 so that the bobbin with the assembled terminals may be removed from the cutting and inserting station 93 without mutilation of the formed terminals. Therefore, the pneumatic and electrical system 130, as shown in FIG. 10, facilitates the control of the movement of the pad 96, as previously described, to permit the retraction of the bobbin 21 and the assembled terminals 34-34 so that the terminals are not mutilated during the retraction thereof.

While the slide support 44 is disclosed and described as a manually controlled support, an automatic mechanism could be substituted for the slide support and could be used for automatically inserting the bobbins 21-21 successively into the cutting and inserting station 93. An automatic facility of this type could include, for example, a rotary table having nests positioned radially thereon with an automatic feeding means for feeding successive bobbins into successive nests on the rotary table whereafter the table is indexed to position the successive bobbins in the cutting and inserting station 93.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of:

forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip,

moving the formed article to a position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip, moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of the support being positioned to receive an insertable portion of the article,

moving a gripping means from a normal nongripping position into engagement with at least a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion while the article is attached to the strip so that the portion is gripped thereby,

separating the gripped article from the skeleton portions of the strip, moving relatively the insertable portion of the formed, gripped article into the receiving portion of the support at an assembly area to assemble the article with the support,

moving a portion of the gripping means away from the gripped portion of the article and toward the normal nongripping position to release the gripped portion of the article,

withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and

holding another portion of the gripping means to preclude movement of the another portion toward the normal nongripping position prior to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises the step of moving the another portion of the gripping means to the normal nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly article.

3. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of:

forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, moving the formed article to a gripping position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip,

moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of the support being positioned to receive an in sertable portion of the article,

positioning carrier pads from a nongripping position to the gripping position on opposite sides of at least a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion to grip the portion of the article between the pads,

moving the pads relative to the strip so that the formed article is separated from the strip,

moving the pads relatively toward the article support to position the insertable portion of the formed article adjacent to the receiving portion of the support,

moving the pads relatively further toward the support to move the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support at an assembly area,

moving one of the carrier. pads away from the adjacent portion of the article to release the gripped portion of the article from gripping engagement with the pads,

withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and

holding the other carrier pad in the position whereat the pad was moved relatively to insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support to preclude movement of the other carrier pad into the adjacent portion of the article after the article has been assembled with the support.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 which further comprises the step of moving the other carrier pad to the nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.

5. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of:

forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, moving the formed article to a position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip, moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of the support being positioned to receive an insertable portion of the article,

positioning a first gripping carrier pad, which is normally located at a first nongripping position into engagement with one side of a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portions,

positioning a second gripping carrier pad, which is normally located at a second nongripping position spaced from the first nongripping position, into engagement with the opposite side of the portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion so that the portion of the article is gripped between the first and second carrier pads,

moving the carrier pads in the same direction relatively away from the strip and toward and adjacent to the article support in an assembly area to separate the article from the strip and insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support in the assembly area,

moving the second gripping carrier pad away from the gripped portion of article toward the second nongripping position to release the article,

withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and

holding the first carrier pad in the position whereat the pad was moved relatively to insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support to preclude movement of the first carrier pad into the adjacent portion of the article after the article has been assembled with the support.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 which further comprises the step of moving the first carrier pad to the first nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.

7. A method of forming a terminal having a lug extending in one general direction and a wire-wrap end extending in another general direction and assembling the terminal with a bobbin having an opening formed therein for receiving the lug of the terminal, which comprises the steps of:

forming a terminal with a lug extending in one general direction and a wire-wrap end extending in another general direction, the terminal being formed in selected portions of a stock strip so that the terminal is attached to skeleton portions of the strip,

positioning a bobbin spacially from the terminal in an assembly area with the lug of the terminal being spaced from and aligned with a lug-receiving opening formed in the bobbin,

positioning a pair of gripping carrier pads on opposite sides of the wire-wrap end of the terminal so that the wire-wrap end is gripped thereby,

separatirtifi the forrned, gripped terminal from the strip, moving e gripping carrier pads with the gripped terminal toward and adjacent to the bobbin to insert the lug of the terminal into the lug-receiving opening of the positioned bobbin,

moving one of the gripping carrier pads away from the adjacent side of the wire-wrap end of the terminal to release the terminal,

withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and

holding the remaining gripping carrier pad in the position adjacent to the associated side of the wire-wrap end of the terminal to preclude the remaining pad from moving in a direction whereat the wire-wrap end of the terminal is positioned prior to the withdrawing of the assembled bobbin and terminal therefrom so that damage to the terminal is prevented. 

1. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of: forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, moving the formed article to a position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip, moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of thE support being positioned to receive an insertable portion of the article, moving a gripping means from a normal nongripping position into engagement with at least a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion while the article is attached to the strip so that the portion is gripped thereby, separating the gripped article from the skeleton portions of the strip, moving relatively the insertable portion of the formed, gripped article into the receiving portion of the support at an assembly area to assemble the article with the support, moving a portion of the gripping means away from the gripped portion of the article and toward the normal nongripping position to release the gripped portion of the article, withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and holding another portion of the gripping means to preclude movement of the another portion toward the normal nongripping position prior to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises the step of moving the another portion of the gripping means to the normal nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly article.
 3. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of: forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, moving the formed article to a gripping position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip, moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of the support being positioned to receive an insertable portion of the article, positioning carrier pads from a nongripping position to the gripping position on opposite sides of at least a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion to grip the portion of the article between the pads, moving the pads relative to the strip so that the formed article is separated from the strip, moving the pads relatively toward the article support to position the insertable portion of the formed article adjacent to the receiving portion of the support, moving the pads relatively further toward the support to move the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support at an assembly area, moving one of the carrier pads away from the adjacent portion of the article to release the gripped portion of the article from gripping engagement with the pads, withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and holding the other carrier pad in the position whereat the pad was moved relatively to insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support to preclude movement of the other carrier pad into the adjacent portion of the article after the article has been assembled with the support.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 3 which further comprises the step of moving the other carrier pad to the nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.
 5. A method of forming an article and assembling the formed article with a support, which comprises the steps of: forming an article in selected portions of a stock strip so that the article is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, moving the formed article to a position whereat the article is to be gripped and separated from the strip, moving an article support into a position spaced from the position to which the article was moved with a receiving portion of the support being positioned to receive an insertable portion of the article, positioning a first gripping carrier pad, which is normally located at a first nongripping position into engagEment with one side of a portion of the formed article other than the insertable portions, positioning a second gripping carrier pad, which is normally located at a second nongripping position spaced from the first nongripping position, into engagement with the opposite side of the portion of the formed article other than the insertable portion so that the portion of the article is gripped between the first and second carrier pads, moving the carrier pads in the same direction relatively away from the strip and toward and adjacent to the article support in an assembly area to separate the article from the strip and insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support in the assembly area, moving the second gripping carrier pad away from the gripped portion of article toward the second nongripping position to release the article, withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and holding the first carrier pad in the position whereat the pad was moved relatively to insert the insertable portion of the article into the receiving portion of the support to preclude movement of the first carrier pad into the adjacent portion of the article after the article has been assembled with the support.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 5 which further comprises the step of moving the first carrier pad to the first nongripping position subsequent to the withdrawing of the support and assembled article from the assembly area.
 7. A method of forming a terminal having a lug extending in one general direction and a wire-wrap end extending in another general direction and assembling the terminal with a bobbin having an opening formed therein for receiving the lug of the terminal, which comprises the steps of: forming a terminal with a lug extending in one general direction and a wire-wrap end extending in another general direction, the terminal being formed in selected portions of a stock strip so that the terminal is attached to skeleton portions of the strip, positioning a bobbin spacially from the terminal in an assembly area with the lug of the terminal being spaced from and aligned with a lug-receiving opening formed in the bobbin, positioning a pair of gripping carrier pads on opposite sides of the wire-wrap end of the terminal so that the wire-wrap end is gripped thereby, separating the formed, gripped terminal from the strip, moving the gripping carrier pads with the gripped terminal toward and adjacent to the bobbin to insert the lug of the terminal into the lug-receiving opening of the positioned bobbin, moving one of the gripping carrier pads away from the adjacent side of the wire-wrap end of the terminal to release the terminal, withdrawing the support with the assembled article from the assembly area, and holding the remaining gripping carrier pad in the position adjacent to the associated side of the wire-wrap end of the terminal to preclude the remaining pad from moving in a direction whereat the wire-wrap end of the terminal is positioned prior to the withdrawing of the assembled bobbin and terminal therefrom so that damage to the terminal is prevented. 